How does the reader know that the people in Equiano and village were aware of the dangers of the slave trade?

Readers can infer that the people in Equiano's village were aware of the dangers of the slave trade because they warned Equiano and his sister to be cautious when traveling. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of not venturing too far from the safety of the village to avoid being captured by slave traders. These warnings indicate a knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with the slave trade.